by Whitey | Dec 12, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:29 NIV)
Here Paul talks about his ministry. It’s something that requires of him a lot of hard work and personal sacrifice. But he’s not alone, and it’s not just with his own strength he labors. It’s Christ’s energy working in and through him.
I want this in my life, too. It can be easy to fall into the habit of treating ministry like it’s “just a job.” Like if I just put in the time and effort, that’s enough, forgetting that God may have a different definition of success, and that that success isn’t possible to achieve on my own.
I can’t create an effective, life-changing ministry on my own. I need God. Yes, I can and should work hard for the cause of Christ. But not in my own strength alone. Like Paul, I need to “strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”
by Whitey | Dec 11, 2011 | Uncategorized
by Whitey | Dec 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
… Fortunately it wasn’t that way the whole trip.
by Whitey | Dec 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
by Whitey | Dec 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
After our young adults prayer meeting Saturday night, we had a spaghetti dinner together. I’d made my special sauce for the occasion and of course it was amazing. (I’m allowed to brag because it’s like the ONE thing I’m good at cooking.)
I was in the middle of posting this before I realized this makes two food-related pics in a row… No, this is not a food blog.
by Whitey | Dec 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
Teens serving udon at church this past Sunday.
by Whitey | Dec 3, 2011 | Uncategorized
Me and most of the guests of Friday night’s English Cafe at Nagoya Church.
by Whitey | Dec 2, 2011 | Ministry News
Thank you for your prayers over the past month.
In November I took a trip to Northeast Japan, where I worked for a few days with a group doing relief and rebuilding work for those affected by the March 11 disasters. While it was heartbreaking to see so much devastation, and that there is still so much work to do, I was encouraged by the full-timers I met there, and the good work they are doing. For more on my trip, please see the the previous post on this blog.
With Christmas time fast approching, there is a lot going on in December. Please be praying with me for the following:
1. Leading worship at prayer meeting — Dec. 14
2. Speaking at Youth Christmas event at Nagoya-Higashi Church — Dec. 17
3. Our annual Christmas celebration / outreach event at Nagoya Church — Dec. 18
4. Traveling to Canada for Christmas! (Dec. 23-Jan. 4)
Thank you for your partnership with me, building spiritual bridges in Japan! I hope you have a great December and a marry Christmas!
– Robin
by Whitey | Nov 26, 2011 | Uncategorized, Videos
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/32665016 w=480&h=270]
This is what I saw during my relief work trip to Tohoku (Northeastern Japan) this past week.
While I stayed in Sendai, the work we did was in the city of Ishinomaki, which, as you can see from the video, suffered a lot of damage during the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. And, over 9 months later, there is still a lot of work to be done in rebuilding the area and restoring people’s normal lives and livelihoods.
I worked with an organization called JIFH (Japanese International Food for the Hungry). In addition to bringing supplies and encouragement to people living in the temporary housing units, JIFH is helping to clean up and re-build damaged homes and places of business. We worked in damaged houses tearing down walls and pulling out flooring and plumbing fixtures so that carpenters could go in and replace the damaged ones.
I felt like my part was a very small one, but it was a privilege to be there to help in any way I could. There aren’t enough resources or people to get the work done quickly, but things are going more quickly where there are volunteers, churches and relief organizations lending a hand.
Thank you for praying for Japan.
Note: The song I used in this video is called “Blackwater” by Fatblueman, and can be purchased via iTunes, with proceeds going towards Japan earthquake relief work:
http://itunes.apple.com/album/black-water-in-support-japan/id453606035
by Whitey | Nov 22, 2011 | Uncategorized
Probably the saddest thing I saw in Ishinomaki today. When the tsunami hit on March 11, many people fled to this school to escape the flood… only to have the school catch fire.
